AGO Restaurant Review

: Restaurateur and partner Agostini Sciandri envisioned AGO as his version of a Tuscan trattoria. The restaurant has become a true Los Angeles classic, catering to the stars, moguls and the happy few in between. It's no wonder, given that the other partners include Robert De Niro, Ridley Scott, the Weinstein brothers, Gianni Nunnari and Meir Tepper. The glitzy clientele comes here to enjoy casual Italian food on the al fresco terrace, bordered by cypress and olive trees and covered with tendrils of grapevines and bougainvillea, or in the somewhat rustic dining room. The open kitchen and bar add ambience to the space. In the back, away from all the hoopla, is the private Rotunda Room where vintage wines are also housed. You will find antipasti and insalate such as creamy burrata with green beans; arugula, tomatoes and shaved Parmesan; and carpaccio di manzo (beef carpaccio). Move on to the pasta, especially pappardelle in wild boar ragù, before ordering sliced filet mignon with arugula and shaved Parmesan, bone-in veal chop or half an herb-roasted chicken with spinach and rosemary potatoes. Desserts include the basics like tiramisu, cannoli and torta della nonna. The wine list is quite well developed with Italian, French, Californian and Spanish selections. This is the ideal place if you want to feel like a star in a relaxed atmosphere. The happy hour Monday through Friday is a highlight, and there’s a nice selection of wine by the glass (including bubbles) and Italian beer.